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Any ideas for a security "cage" (i.e "thief proof") for little Honda generators?

Any ideas for a security "cage" (i.e "thief proof") for little Honda generators?

07-11-2010, 05:50 PM

I'd like to make some type of secuity "shark cage" to keep the theives (sharks) from stealing my twin Honda EU2000 generators while at campgrounds. Simply running a cable or chain through the handle of the generators won't cut it. The handles are made of plastic and can simply be cut away with ease as well as total silence in the middle of the night. I'm thinking that a metal "cage" would allow easy access to the generator controls and allow cables/cords to run through without a problem. More importantly, it allows the generator to cool and "breath", unlike a steel box with just a few holes in it.

If anyone knows of any ideas with pictures, I would be greatly appreciative if you could post 'em.

You could check out a Material Handling surplus that buys and sells used pallet racking materials.
You could find some odd sizes of the wire rack decking that is welded together like a grate and cut them to size and then weld them together to form a box.
You could make a base frame and maybe add some off road casters to make it more portable and then you could chain it to a post, tree, camper whatever.

Another option may be to get one of those garden style carts at the home centers that are constructed with a mesh base and sides and enclose it in to do something similar to above...

Comment

I say just let them sit out there with no "security" other than you and your buddies with their .357 Magnums. If someone shows up to steal YOUR STUFF, just point the guns at them and ask them to lie on the ground and pee in their pants like real "sharks". Once they have done that, take their wallets, cell phones and anything else they might ahve and then just offer them the choice...leave and DO NOT come back or DIE!

Don J
Reno, NV

Never pick a fight with an old guy. Old guys are too smart to fight and get hurt. They'll just kill you and get it over with.

Comment

The down side of what you've suggested is two thieves could easily pick up the cage and run off with both of your generators.

Back in the day I did contract telco work. We had men working in manholes with generators running cabled to their trucks. The thieves would cut the cables and load up the generators still running. The guys in the manholes wouldn't realize there was a problem until the extension cord came unplugged. By the time they got upstairs most of the time all they would see is their cord laid down the road.

I have one of those generators. I've had it about four years now, love it. When I've dry camped out in the parks of Arizona I've just cabled it to the gooseneck on the toyhauler. I always figured anyone that took the time and effort to cut the handle on the generator would be taking a big risk a couple of ways. One of course would be getting caught. The other is they would be real hard to move, most of the thieves are druggies looking for a quick buck, damaged like that.

A dealer in Flagstaff told us those generators were the hottest thing when it came to targets for thieves.

Comment

I built a cage for a honda 5 hp motor on a mixer box. It was bolted to a plate so it was easier than what you have to work with.
I welded SS angle iron over the motor so tight you can not remove the motor with out a plasma.
I use SS incase they came back with a torch. I heated the SS before welding it on, so it would to hard to saw.
Good Luck,
Bob

Comment

I am building a big cage for my booster pump (8'LX8'HX6'W) out of 2" Sq tubing and 9ga. expanded metal.
I have a problem with the radiators disappearing at night.
When it happened the first time I put tamper proof bolts.
When it happened the second time I welded the bolts.
So far the welded bolts are working (knock on wood), but as soon as my leg is healed I will finish the cage.
Good Luck,
Bob

Comment

Thanks everybody for the great recommendations. I really like the "tree" idea with the graphics. It made me think of some great ideas. Also the 9ga expanded metal idea sounds really good. I just need something for those certain campgrounds that have a lot of people.

Generally, I prefer to "boondock" out in no man's land where I don't have to worry about thievs. However, when I'm in a local campground with a group of people that we go with, sometimes there is a chance of a homeless guy comming around when everyone is asleep and tries to walk off with stuff.....

Thanks again everyone!

Comment

A buddy of mine had two versions that he used with his camper for similar gensets. The first one he made himself, basically a box that padlocked to the top of the tongue and covered everything. It had 1" slots on all the sides for air and he installed a fan on the side for cooling.

The second version that he is currently using (after jackknifing his trailer and destroying his box ) is the basket from a grocery cart flipped upside down and using the same hinge he had on the first version.